Letter from Dogwood Initiative….

A couple of weeks ago we asked you to spread the word about the No Tankers petition after Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver launched a public relations offensive to discredit and silence Canadians opposed to Enbridge’s oil pipeline and supertanker project.

Since then, we have received more than 20,000 new signatures on our No Tankers petition and Enbridge’s oil tanker plan was national news for days on end. Thank you — this couldn’t have happened without your efforts!

Last week Prime Minister Stephen Harper entered the fray, claiming “foreigners” were “hijacking” the review process because they want to make Canada “one giant national park.” Once again, shock reverberated around the country and we received a flood of calls and e-mails from supporters asking what they could do.

The federal government is using a misleading smear campaign to not only discredit Canadians concerned by the Enbridge’s oil tanker plans, but also to distract the thousands of people who are learning about this issue for the first time.

Despite the massive public outcry, Oliver shows no signs of backing down. Just two days ago he ramped up the rhetoric during a speech in Calgary, claiming “abuse” by groups opposed to development of oil projects, accusing them of “gaming” the review process.

Please consider sending a message to Minister Oliver and your MP. Let’s speak out against these bullying PR tactics, and put the focus back where it belongs: stopping a reckless oil tanker and pipeline proposal that First Nations have already banned.